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18

One Word 365: Kindness and Heel Kicks

Things that matter and make a difference rarely happen overnight.  

Whether it’s our dream to start a movement or our desire to fix a character flaw, it takes plotting, planning, prayer, sweat, sometimes tears…and then you actually have to DO.

That’s the part a lot of us forget. We dream or make resolutions and we talk, talk, talk but we never do.

My friend Alece is a dreamer who does, and below you will find out (if you haven’t already heard) about One Word 365.  Sometimes one of the best ways to “do” is to ask people to help us— so I want to ask you all to help me with my word for this year: KIND.

Should we run into each other and I am mean to you, just wink or do a Newsies-style heel kick (see min 1:01)  and say, “365, Joy,” and I’ll know what you’re talking about. Might seem simple, but not only do I want to treat everyone with kindness publicly, but privately as well.

I want to internally have a spirit of kindness towards people and have kind thoughts…NOT EASY. This is something you won’t be able to heel kick and call me out on because you don’t have a chip implanted in my brain. Only God knows my heart and mind, but know that this is my prayer and goal—ask me how it’s going!!

And we can heel kick together because that’s just a fun thing to do.

What’s your word?

It’s Not About Doing More

By: Alece Ronzino

_______

I’ve lived most of my life by shoulds. Growing up, I was the all-American good girl. I did well in school. I went on mission trips. I moved to Africa as a missionary when I was 19. I did everything “right”. By the book. The way I wassupposed to, expected to, told to. The way I should.

But the treadmill of striving is exhausting. If only I could do more… If only I could do better… Yet for every should I manage to check off, more get added to the list. It’s a vicious cycle of defeat.

In my painful journey of the past few years, I realized how badly I needed to stop should-ing on myself. And I discovered how challenging it can be to get off that treadmill.

One of the ways I’ve found some freedom from the shoulds has been by ditching New Year’s Resolutions. I used to make a long list of goals I’d like to achieve in the new year, but never managed to live up to them (or, at times, even remember what they were).

It only left me feeling like a failure.

So I began choosing just one word as I step into a new year. One word that sums up who I want to be or an attribute I want to intentionally add to my life.

And since it’s just one word, it’s easy to remember. I place reminders of it around my home and workspace, and I inevitably start seeing and hearing it everywhere, which helps me stay mindful of it.

My one word isn’t another to-do list. It’s simply a guide as I make decisions, set plans, and go about my every day.

And I’ve seen these words shape not only my year, but also myself. They’ve challenged me, inspired me, changed me. Such is the power of intentionality.

I’ve chosen brave as my One Word for 2014, and with equal parts trepidation and curiosity, I am anxious to see how it will grow me this coming year.

Will you join me in choosing one word for the year? It’s not about doing more, but about being who you were created to be.

You’ll probably have a love/hate relationship with your word. That’s okay. If it doesn’t scare you at least a little bit, it’s probably not the right word.

So… Together, let’s stop should-ing on ourselves.

What do you want to focus on in 2014? Who do you want to be by the end of the year?

_______

ONE WORD 365 in the NEWS!

WSMV Channel 4


Can’t see the video? Click HERE.

_______

After pioneering and leading a nonprofit in South Africa for 13 years, Alece now lives in Nashville, TN. She is a Nonprofit Communications & Development Strategist and the founder of One Word 365. She blogs occasionally but candidly about searching for God in the question marks of life and faith. Follow Alece on Twitter and visit her blog, Grit and Glory.

Join the global One Word 365 tribe HERE. Check them out on Facebook HERE. Follow One Word on Twitter HERE.

Oh, and be sure to check out the amazing Illumination post Alece wrote for me about a man who abused the word “respect” HERE. 

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18 Comments

Cancel Reply

    • Julie (@julespreever) thinks...

      My word is Beloved. Wrote about it here: http://esauproject.com/2014/01/04/one-year-one-word/

      Reply| at |

      • Alece Ronzino (@aleceronzino) thinks...

        Love it, Julie!!

        Reply| at |

        • Joy thinks...

          ditto. although I think you ladies are getting a little too edgy with all this ink.

          Reply| at |

          • Julie (@julespreever) thinks...

            Joy, one thing in my life I have never been accused of being is edgy 😉

            at |

        • Julie (@julespreever) thinks...

          Thanks, Alece!

          Reply| at |

    • michaeleen thinks...

      Patience. Because why not? I’m learning to think before i speak or act. The amount of times I want to talk back to someone who does or says something stupid is too often. I’m learning to have patience and speak more with love.

      Reply| at |

      • Alece Ronzino (@aleceronzino) thinks...

        Such a brave word choice! So, so challenging…

        Reply| at |

      • Joy thinks...

        Especially when the come back is so good!! I think if we put our patience + kind together we could be really swell gals by the end of the year.

        Reply| at |

        • michaeleen thinks...

          Amen to that sister

          Reply| at |

    • Alece Ronzino (@aleceronzino) thinks...

      Great word, Joy. KIND. I feel like that’s something often missing in our culture, and I’m glad you’re working to bring kindness (sexy?) back.

      Did you link up on http://OneWord365.com? (I HAD to ask!) 😉

      Reply| at |

    • Krista Kotrla (@kristakotrla) thinks...

      What a fun exercise! My word for 2014 is LEAP because it is active, takes courage and will hopefully inspire others.

      Reply| at |

      • Alece Ronzino (@aleceronzino) thinks...

        I get so excited anytime I hear anyone with the word “LEAP”! It’s so full of life and action and courage!

        Why don’t you go ahead and join on the OneWord365 website — it will then show you others who’ve chosen “leap” as well, so you can journey together this year. (Right now, there’s only 1 other Leaper on there, which surprises me because I’ve heard so many people say it’s their word!)

        Reply| at |

    • Trina thinks...

      My word is thrive. I don’t want to just survive in 2014, but I want to thrive, grow and move forward. I want to end 2014 in a healthier place than which I began. Thriving for me isn’t about doing more. I actually think I need to more often stop and slow down in order to actually thrive.

      Reply| at |

      • Alece Ronzino (@aleceronzino) thinks...

        Yes yes yes! You explained that so well, Trina!

        And I have a special affinity for the word “thrive”. The name of the nonprofit I started in South Africa was called “Thrive Africa”! 😉

        Reply| at |

    • Laura Robb (@LauraCRobb) thinks...

      I chose the word “Focus”. I’ve been trying to chase a writing dream, but my thoughts have been scattered. This year I have decided to focus and consistently take action. It’s still a learning process though. 🙂

      Reply| at |

      • Alece Ronzino (@aleceronzino) thinks...

        I love this journey you’re on, Laura!

        Reply| at |

    • Kaitlin thinks...

      I have a phrase instead of a word–“seek inspiration.” To read, to write, to create, to focus…seek inspiration. I’ve often found myself waiting for inspiration to strike but that’s just so passive and I want to be active and intentional in how I live. So this year I’m seeking inspiration everywhere I look!

      Reply| at |

      • Alece Ronzino (@aleceronzino) thinks...

        That’s so so good, Kaitlin. Love it! A few years ago my word was “look”. In similar fashion, I knew I had to be more intentional to look for God in the midst of the grit, look for hope when it was easier not to, look for the good when it needed to be dug for, look for inspiration when all seemed dark and foggy…

        I’m excited to see where your journey takes you this year!

        Reply| at |

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